Water craft construction

ABSTRACT

A water craft construction including a hull body portion having a bottom, sides and top deck with the bottom and sides converging to a point adjacent the top deck to define a water craft bow means and including transom means extending transversely between the bottom, sides and top deck adjacent a rear end thereof to define a water craft stern means. An operator seat means is supported above the top deck adjacent an intermediate portion of the hull means and includes an operator control means supported on the top deck forwardly of the operator seat means. Means are provided on the transom means for supporting a power motor means and outrigger pontoon means are supported on opposite lateral sides of said hull body portion.

United States Patent Wilder [451 Nov. 7, 1972 [54] WATER CRAFT CONSTRUCTION [72] Inventor: Donald L. Wilder, Route No. 2, Box

406, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 221 Filed: Jan.11, 1971 21 App1.No.: 105,282

[52] US. Cl ..115/70, 114/123 [51] Int. Cl ..B63b 35/00, B63b 43/14 [58] Field of Search ..1l5/6.1,70; 114/123 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,552,349 1/1971 Snow ..115/7O 3,150,632 9/1964 Evans ..1 15/70 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Attorney-Newton, Hopkins & Ormsby [5 7] ABSTRACT A water craft construction including a hull body portion having a bottom, sides and top deck with the bottom and sides converging to a point adjacent the top deck to define a water craft bow means and including transom means extending transversely between the bottom, sides and top deck adjacent a rear end thereof to define a water craft stern means. An operator seat means is supported above the top deck adjacent an intermediate portion of the hull means and includes an operator control means supported on the top deck forwardly of the operator seat means. Means are provided on the transom means for supporting a power motor means and outrigger pontoon means are supported on opposite lateral sides of said hull body portion.

11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PKTENTED 71972 3.702.106

sum a (If 4 PATENTEDNUV 71972 SHEET 4 OF 4 FIG 6 FIG 7 WATER CRAFT CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a water craft adapted to be ridden by an operator in a manner similar to a motor cycle. More particularly, this invention includes a water craft hull body portion including an operator seat and control means wherein the hull body portion is detailed in transverse dimensions to allow an operator to be seated in the operators seatwith one leg and foot adjacent each side of the hull body portion and wherein the control means is supported vertically above the hull body portion forward of the operator seat means whereby the water craft can be maneuvered over the surface of the water either through steerable control means or by body motions of the operator.

With an increasing number of water facilities available for recreation, and with an increasing amount of leisure time enjoyed by a great number of people in our society, there is a tremendous increase in water sports activity including boating, skiing and other types of water recreation sports. Due to this increase in the water sports activities, a number of boats and water craft have been designed for pleasure, including fishing, and a number of water craft have been designed for patrol activity.

Most of the prior art water craft construction includes a conventional boat design having a body hull with a bow and stern means wherein an operator and other persons riding in the water craft would be located within the hull body portion. The prior art water craft construction could be propelled either by an inboard motor means, an outboard motor means or a combination inboard-outboard motor means. The prior art water craft means are maneuvered over the surface of water by either steering the position of an outboard motor means or by steering the position of outboard rudder means which would present hydrofoil surfaces detailed for effecting steering control of a boat.

One type of water sport that has increased rapidly in the past several years is water skiing. Water skiing can be performed on either a single ski or two skis. In water skiing, propelling means for the water skis are provided by a conventional boat means with a tow line and the water skis are maneuvered over the surface of the water by a skiers leaning body motions. Water skiing is enjoyable due to the refreshing cooling atmosphere and is desirable for improving the balance and coordination of a skier. However, water skiing can sometimes be expensive due to the cost of providing a sufficiently large boat and power motor means for towing a skier. Further, skiing utilizing a tow line requires at least two people, one to operate the boat while the other person is skiing.

With the increase in waterway recreational activities, there is a growing demand for water safety patrol means. Most of the prior art boat devices capable of being used by a water patrol means were unduly large in construction, uneconomical to manufacture and unreliable in performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a water craft construction which can be ridden by an operator in a manner similar to a motor cycle.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction which includes stabilizing pontoon means to be utilized in the initiation of a water craft propelling operation and to be retracted to an inoperable position to improve the water craft maneuverability.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction that renders a power operable skiing sensation to a rider.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction wherein the water craft center of gravity is located vertically above the water craft center of buoyancy.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction having adjustable outrigger stabilizing pontoon means with remote control means located adjacent an operator station for effecting adjustment of the outrigger pontoons to selectively set positions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction desirable for use by a single operator in water patrol activity.

Another object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction wherein an operator is located completely above the upper deck structure of the water craft.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction having support surfaces for an operators feet located on opposite lateral sides of a water craft hull body portion.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an outrigger pontoon stabilizing means from an extended operable position to a retracted inoperable position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction having spring biased outrigger stabilizing pontoon means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction having integrally formed outrigger stabilizing pontoon means.

A further object of this invention is to provide a water craft which is attractive in appearance, pleasurable to ride and capable of improving physical coordination in the process. I

An additional object of this invention is to provide a water craft construction which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and reliable in performance.

The above stated objects are obtained and the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which basically includes a water craft hull body portion including a top deck, sides and bottom with the sides and bottom converging to a point adjacent the top deck to form a boat bow means and further including a transom means extending between the top deck, sides and bottom adjacent the rear end to define a boat stern means. A significant part of the water craft construction of the present invention resides in the fact that the boat hull structure is detailed in transverse dimensions such that an operator can sit in a support means provided above the deck structure with one leg extending downwardly adjacent each side of the hull body portion and wherein an operable control means is located above the top deck forwardly of the operator seat means whereby the water craft can be maneuvered over the surface of water in a manner similarto a motor cycle being ridden over a highway. Another important feature of the present invention which will allow the water craft to move from an at rest position to a planning position to allow the water craft to be steered by body movements similar to a motor cycle, is the. outrigger pontoon means. One embodiment of the outrigger pontoon means provides for vertical adjustment of the pontoons from an extended operable position to a retracted inoperable position. A second embodiment of the outrigger pontoon means provides for a spring biasing means for maintaining the outrigger pontoons in an'extended operable position. ln'a third embodiment of the water craft construction utilizing outrigger pontoons, the outrigger pontoons are formed integrally with laterally extendingstabilizing fin means on the water craft hull body portion.

These and other objects and advantages in the details of construction will become apparent upon reading the following description of the illustrative embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to designate like parts throughout the several figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a left front perspective view of a water craft constructed according to the present invention with certain parts being omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the water craft construction of FIG. 1 with certain parts being added thereto;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of the water craft construction of FIG. 1, showing the pontoon adjusting mechanism;

FIG. 4 is a left front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the water craft construction;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view of the water craft construction of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a left front perspective view of still another embodiment of the water craft construction; and

FIG. .7 is a rear elevational view of the water craft construction shown in FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the present invention will be described with reference to a first embodiment 10 of the water craft construction, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3; the second embodiment 100 of the water craft construction as shown in FIGS..4 and 5 and a third embodiment 200 of the water craft construction as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1-3, the first embodiment of the water craft construction includes a hull body portion 10, having a bottom 11 (FIG. 2), sides 12, 13 and a top deck 14. The sides 12, 13 and bottom 11 converge inwardly to a point adjacent the top deck 14 to form a boat bow means 15. Extending between the top deck 14, sides 12, 13 and bottom 11 adjacent the rear end thereof is a transom means 16 which defines the stern of the water craft construction. Supported on the top deck 14 intermediate the boat bow and stem is an operators seat 17. The operators seat 17 is supported in an elevated position above top deck 14 by means of a number of vertically extending leg support elements 18.

Mounted on the top deck l4 forward of the operators seat 17 isv a control 'panel means 19. The control panel means 19 extends from the top deck 14 to an elevation located above the operators seat 17. Control panel 19 includes a windshield means 20. An operable control handle 21 constructed in the form of a handle bar, similar to a motor cycle handle bar, is supported on the control panel 19. The control handle 21 includes conventional pulley and cable means (not shown) which extend rearward .to the power'motor means 24 for pivoting the motor 24 in a conventional manner to steer the water craft 10 over the water supporting surface. Control handle 21 is provided with a rotatable throttle grip means 22 which is connected in a conventional manner to the power motor carburetor means (not shown).

Also provided on the control handle 21 is a safety switch 23. Safety switch 23 is connected in a conventional manner to the power motor circuit means whereby the motor will be .cut off in response to a release of the safety switch means 23. The operation of the rotatable throttle means 22 and safety switch means 23 will be described in more detail herein below in the operation of the water craft construction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water craft hull body portion 10 includes a pair of laterally extending stabilizing fins 25, 26 which extend in opposite. lateral directions from the water craft sides 12, 13, respectively. The stabilizing fins 25, 26 extend from a position slightly rearward of the water craft transom 16 and include a top 27 and a bottom 28. The stabilizing fin bottom 28 is detailed in design to be continuous with the bottom 11 of the water craft hull portion. Each of the stabilizing fins 25, 26 includes a curved forward end 29 which converge inwardly and extend upwardly to a point adjacent the water craft top deck 14 at a point spaced slightly rearward from the water craft bow 15. As shown in FIG. 1, a buoyancy structure means 30 is located on top of the stabilizing fins 25, 26 at the point of juncture of the top of the stabilizing fins with the water craft sides 12, 13. The upper surface of eachof the stabilizing fins 25, 26 includes a formed foot support portion-31 located therein immediately adjacent the water craft sides 12, 13. The formed foot supports 31 are located in a position where an operator seated on seat 17 can effectively position one foot on each side of the water craft sides 12, 13.

The water craft construction 10 includes a pair of selectively adjustable outrigger pontoon means 35, 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 are each supported from opposite sides 12, 13 of the water craft by means of a U-shaped bracket 37. Bracket 37 includes a base 38 which is attached to. the sides of the boat by conventional screw connecting means (not shown). Extending outwardly from base 38 in substan tially parallel relationship is a pair of legs 39, 40. A shaft support means 41 is pivotally supported between the bracket legs 39, 40. Extending laterally outward from support shaft 41 is a first arm 42 which is fixed at substantially right angles to the support shaft 41 and has an outward extended end connected to the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 by conventional connecting bolts 44. A second arm 43 extends from support shaft 41 in angular relationship relative to the first arm 42 and is connected at its extended end by a conventional connecting bolt means 44 to a forward portion of the outrigger pontoons 35, 36. Each of the support shafts 41 includes an arm member 45 connected thereto by conventional means such as welding and extending angularly upward therefrom.

The outrigger pontoons 35, 36 are moved to selected adjusted positions by means of an adjusting mechanism 46. The adjusting mechanism 46 is supported on the upper deck 14 by means of a U-shaped bracket 47. Bracket 47 includes a base 48 connected to the upper deck 14 by conventional screw means and includes a pair of upwardly extending legs 49, 50. A tubular support member 51 is connected between legs 48, 49 in substantially parallel relationship to the bracket base portion 48. The bracket 47 and tubular support 51 are secured in position on the upper deck 14 in substantially parallel relationship to the outrigger pontoon means 35, 36.

Extending laterally outward from opposite sides of the tubular support 51 are a pair of additional support shaft means 52, 53. The extended end of the shafts 52, 53 are connected to the upper deck 14 by means of an L-shaped bracket 54 which is secured by conventional connecting screw means (not shown) to the upper deck 14. A sleeve 55 is slidably supported on each of the shafts 52, 53 and capable of being moved from an outwardly extended position adjacent brackets 54 to an inwardly displaced position adjacent the U-shaped bracket 47. Each of the sleeves 55 has an upstanding tab portion 56 fixed thereto by conventional means such as welding. Pivotally connected between the upwardly extended end of the tab 56 and the upwardly extended ends of arms 45 is a control link 57. Control link 57 is detailed in pivotal connection between tabs 56 and arms 45 such that movement of the sleeves 55 along the support shafts 52, 53 will effect an angular rotation of shafts 41 to effect movement of the outrigger pontoons 35, 36.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the sleeves 55 includes a forwardly directed flange element 58 which is connected thereto by conventional means such as welding. A sleeve 59 is slidably supported for fore and aft movement on the support 51 and includes a pair of oppositely directed flange elements 60. A pair of links 61 are each pivotally connected adjacent one end to one of the oppositely directed flanges 60 and pivotally connected at their opposite ends to one of the flanges 58 formed on sleeves 55. Movement of sleeve 59 along support 51 is effected by means of a control rod 62. Control rod 62 includes one end which is connected by welding to one of the flanges 60. Rod 62 is curved outwardly, upwardly and includes a forward end pivotally connected to an operable control lever 63. The operable control lever 63 is pivotally secured to the upper deck 14 by means of a support bracket 64. Support bracket 64 is secured to the upper deck 14 by conventional screw means (not shown). Pivotal movement of the control lever 63 about its supporting pivot will effect a fore and aft movement of sleeve 59 along the support 51.

Sleeve 59 is adapted to be secured in a selectively set position along support 51 by means of a locking pin 65. Locking pin 65 is supported for vertical translating movement in a sleeve 66 which is secured to the upper surface of sleeve 59 and includes an opening extending therethrough to allow an operable end of the locking pin 65 to engage and lock the sleeve in a selected one of a series of spaced openings 67. Vertical translating movement of the locking pin 65 from a locked position to an unlocked position is effected by means of a bell crank 68. Bell crank 68 is pivotally connected by a bracket means 69 to the upper surface of sleeve 59. Operation of the bell crank 68 is provided by means of a flexible cable means 70 which is connected at one end to bell crank 68 and connected at its opposite end to an operable plunger mechanism 71. Plunger 71 is supported on the operable control lever 63 adjacent an upper end thereof. The operable plunger 71 includes conventional gripping means which will allow the plunger to be operated to effect a displacement of the flexible cable which will in turn pivot the bell crank 68 to allow the locking pin 65 to be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position. With pin 65 moved to an unlocked position, sleeve 59 can be displaced along support 51 by a forward or backward motion of the operable control lever 53. Movement of sleeve 59 will effect a lateral displacement of sleeves 55, which will in turn effect angular movement of the support shafts 41 to move the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 to a selected vertically adjusted position.

In operation of the water craft construction of FIGS. 1-3, the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 are initially set at a lower locked position, substantially as shown in FIG. 2 wherein the bottom surface of the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 are in substantial lateral alignment with the bottom surfaces 11 and 28 of the water craft boat and stabilizing fins, respectively. With the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 locked in their lower position, an operator can assume a position on the support seat 17 with one leg extending downwardly adjacent each side 12, 13 of the water craft and with a foot positioned in each of the foot support means 31.

The power motor means 24 is started by conventional starter means (not shown). Before the power motor 24 can be started, an operator must grasp the safety switch 23 which will allow a flow of current to the power motor 24. With motor running and with the operator holding the safety switch in an operable position and effecting rotation of the rotatable throttle 22, the water craft will be accelerated over the supporting water surface. The water craft can be steered in a conventional manner by effecting rotation of the control handle 21 to pivot the power motor 24 relative to the water craft.

After the water craft has reached a predetermined speed to allow the water craft to plane over the surface of the supporting water, an operator can move the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 to an upwardly displaced position. Adjustment of pontoons 35, 36 is effected by grasping the control lever 63, effecting movement of plunger 71, moving the handle 63 to a forward position and then releasing the operable plunger 71 to allow the locking pin 65 to be inserted in one of the series of openings 67 to securely lock the outrigger pontoons in a selectively set position. With the outrigger pontoons 35, 36 moved to an upwardly displaced position, an operator seated on the support seat 17 can steer the water craft over the supporting water surface by either effecting rotation of the control handle 21 or by leaning body motions in a manner similar to operation of a motorcycle.

Should the operator release the safety switch 23 for any reason during operation of the water craft, the circuit to the power motor 24 will be broken thereby stopping operation of the motor.

The outrigger pontoons 35, 36 can be moved to a number of selectively set positions during operation of the watercraft by means of the control lever 63 and operable plunger 71, as described herein above. The outrigger pontoons 35, 36 can be moved to their lower set position prior to completion of a journey, to thereby stabilize the watercraft as the water craft is slowed down to a standing position, by effecting operation of the control lever 63 and plunger 71, as described herein above. v

The water craft can be constructed of any suitable material which i will provide the desired amount of buoyancy for the water craft and an operator positioned thereon. The water craft can either be formed as an integral unit of suitable synthetic material or can be constructed of a number of sheets of material which are joined together in a watertight sealing relationship. The outrigger pontoon support means 41, 42 etc. and the outrigger adjusting means 47, 51 etc. are constructed of conventional metal stock material which will provide the desired rigid supporting and operating characteristics necessary to hold the outrigger pontoons in a selectively set position.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, an alternate embodiment of the water craft construction includes a hull body portion 110 having a bottom 111 (FIG. sides 112, 113 and a top deck 114. The sides 1 12, 1 13 and bottom 1 11 converge inwardly to a point adjacent the top deck 114 to form a boat bow means 115. Extending between the top deck 114, sides 112, 1 l3 and bottom 1 1 1 adjacent the rear end thereof is a transom means 1 16 which defines the stern of the water craft construction. Supported on the top deck 114 intermediate the boat bow and stem is an operators seat 117. The operators seat 117 is supported in an elevated position above top deck- 114 by means of a number of vertically extending leg support elements 1 18.

Mounted on the top deck 114 forward of the operators seat- 117 is a control panel means 119. The control panel means 119 extends from the top deck 114 to an elevation above the operators seat 117. Control panel 119 includes a windshield means 120. An operable control handle 121 constructed in the form of a handle bar, similar to a motor cycle handle bar, is supported on the control panel 119. The control handle 121 includes conventional pulley and cable means (not shown) which extend rearward to the power motor means 124 for pivoting the motor 124 in a conventional manner to steer the water craft 100 over the water supporting surface. Control handle 121 is provided with a rotatable throttle grip means 122 which is connected in a conventional manner to the power motor carburetor means (not shown).

Also provided on the control handle 121 is a safety switch 123. Safety switch is connected in a conventional manner to the power motor circuit means whereby the motor will be cut off in response to a release of the safety switch means 123.

As shown'in FIGS. 4 and 5, the water craft hull body portion includes a pair of laterally extending stabilizing fins 125, 126 which extend in opposite lateral directions from the water craft sides 112, 113, respectively. The stabilizing fins 125, 126 extend from a position slightly rearward of the water craft transom 116 and include a top 127 and a bottom 128. The stabilizing fin bottom 128 is detailed in design to be continuous with the bottom 1 1 1 of the water craft hull portion 1 10. Each of the stabilizing fins 125, 126 includes a curved forward end 129 which converge inwardly and extend upwardly to a point adjacent the water craft top deck 114 at a point spaced slightly rearward from the water craft bow 115. As shown in FIG. 4, a buoyancy structure means 130is located at the point of juncture of the stabilizing fins with the water craft sides 112, 113. The upper surface of each of the stabilizing fins 125, 126 includes a formed foot support portion 131 located therein immediately adjacent the water craft sides 1 12, 113. The formed foot supports 131 are located in a position where an operator seated on seat 117 can effectively position one foot on each side of the water craft sides 1 12, 113.

The water craft 100 includes a pair of outrigger pontoon means 135, 136. Outrigger pontoons 135, 136 are supported from opposite lateral sides 112, 113 of the water craft by means of brackets 140 which are attached to the water craft sides 112, 113 by conventional connecting means (not shown).

Each of the pontoon means 135, 136 includes a pair of inwardly directed arms 143, 143 which are pivotally connected adjacent their extended end to the support brackets 140. The connection of support arms 142, 143 with the brackets 140 will allow vertical movement of the outrigger pontoons relative to the water craft 100. The outrigger pontoons 135, 136 are spring-biased to a lower limit position wherein the lower surface of the outrigger pontoons are in substantial lateral alignment with the bottom 111 and 128 of the water craft boat and fin means, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 4, a supporting plate 144 is connected between arms 142, 143. Extending laterally outward from opposite sides of the water craft construction are a pair of wing structures 150, 151 which include an extended end positioned above the supporting plates 144. An adjustable boat means 145 extends through openings (not shown) in the wing structures 150, 151 and is threadably connected by conventional means (not shown) in the support plates 144. Bolts 145 will function to provide an adjustable lower limit position of the pontoons 135, 136. A compression spring means 146 is provided around each of the connecting bolts 145 and located between a lower surface of the wing structures 150, 151, and the upper surface of plates 144. Springs 146 will function to spring bias the outrigger pontoons 135, 136 to their lower limit position. A waterproof sealing means is provided around the bolts 145 and springs 146. A cover element 149 is also provided on the upper surface of the wing structures for covering the top of the adjustable bolts 145.

The above described supporting relationship of the outrigger pontoon 135, 136 will allow the pontoons to move upwardly relative to the wing structures 150, and will be returned to their lower limit position by means of the compression springs 146.

In operation, the water craft construction 100 of FIGS. 4 and 5 is started and operated in a similar manner as the water craft construction described herein above of FIGS. 1-3. The outrigger pontoons 135, 136 will function to stabilize the water craft during an initial acceleration thereof. The pontoons are sup ported such that when the water craft assumes a planning relationship over the water supporting surface, the pontoons will be located above the water supporting surfaceJ-lowever, the pontoons will be in a position to stabilize the water craft during a tilting movement of the water craft. The spring biased relationship of the outrigger pontoons will permit the outrigger pontoons to move upwardly in a steering operation of the water craft.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 6 and 7, another alternate embodiment of the water craft construction includes a hull body portion 200 having a bottom 211 (FIG. 7) sides 212, 213 and a top deck 214. The sides 212, 213 and bottom 211 converge inwardly to a point adjacent the top deck 214 to form a boat bow means 215. Extending between the top deck 214, sides 212, 213 and bottom 211 adjacent the rear end thereof is a transom means 216 which defines the stern of the water craft construction. Supported on the top deck 214 intermediate the boat bow means and stem means is an operators seat 217. The operators seat 217 is supported in an elevated position above the top deck 214 by means of a number of vertically extending leg support elements 218.

Mounted on the top deck 214 forward of the operators seat 217 is a control panel means 219. Control panel means 219 is similar in construction and design to the control panels 19, 119 of the above described embodiments of the water craft construction. The control panel means 219 extends from the top deck 214 to an elevation above the operators seat 217. Control panel 219 includes a windshield means 220. An operable control handle 221 constructed in the form of a handle bar, similar to a motorcycle handle bar, is supported on the control panel 219. The control handle 221 includes a conventional pulley and cable means (not shown) which extends rearwardly to the power motor means 224 for pivoting the motor 224 in a conventional manner to steer the water craft 200 over the water supporting surface. Control handle 221 is provided with a rotatable throttle grip means 222 which is connected in a conventional manner to the power motor carburetor means (not shown).

Also provided on the control handle 221 is a safety switch 223. Safety switch 223 is electrically connected by conventional circuit means to the power motor circuit whereby the motor will be cut ofi in response to a release of the safety switch means 223. The operation of the rotatable throttle means 222 and safety switch means 223 is effected in the same manner as described above in regard to the throttle 22 and safety switch 23 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1-3.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the water craft hull body portion 200 includes a pair of laterally extending stabilizing fins 225, 226. Stabilizing fins 225, 226 extend outward in opposite lateral directions from the water craft sides 212, 213, respectively. The stabilizing fins 225, 226 extend from a position slightly rearward of the water craft transom means 216 and include a top surface 227 and a bottom surface 228. The stabilizing fin bottom surface 228 is detailed in design to be continuous with the water craft bottom 211. Each of the stabilizing fins 225, 226 includes a curved forward end 229 which converges inwardly and extends upwardly to a point adjacent the top deck 214 and at a point spaced slightly rearward from the water craft bow means 215. As shown in FIG. 6, a buoyancy structure means 230 is located at the point of juncture of the stabilizing fins with the water craft sides 212, 213. The upper surface of each of the stabilizing fins 225, 226 includes a formed foot support portion 231 located therein immediately adjacent the water craft sides 212, 213. The formed foot supports 231 are located in a position where an operator located in position on seat 217 can effectively position one foot on each side of the water craft sides 212, 213.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the water craft construction 200 includes outrigger pontoon means 235, 236 formed on the laterally extending sides of the stabilizing fins 225, 226, respectively. The outrigger pontoons 235, 236 are detailed in construction to give added buoyancy to the water craft during an initial acceleration thereof but will move to a position above the water supporting surface in response to the water craft reaching a speed which will allow the water craft to plane over the surface of the water. The outrigger pontoons 235, 236 will function to stabilize the water craft during any unwanted tilted movement thereof and will again engage the water supporting surface when the speed of the water craft is reduced below a required speed for planing.

The water craft construction 200 of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be formed as an integral unit of suitable buoyancy material or can be formed as a number of separate units which are joined together by conventional means to provide the required buoyancy for the water craft construction and an operator seated thereon.

The operators seat 17, 117, and 217 described above for each of the illustrative embodiments can be designed to accommodate one or more passengers and the buoyancy of the water craft can be varied to support a number of passengers.

it now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiments of the water craft construction are capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modification in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A water craft adapted to be ridden by an operator in a manner similar to a motor cycle comprising: a hull body portion, said hull body portion including a bottom, sides and top deck; said bottom and sides converging at a point adjacent said top deck to define a bow means, transom means extruding transversely between said bottom, sides and top deck adjacent a rear end thereof to define a stern means, quarter seat means supported on said hull adjacent an intermediate portion thereof and extending above said top deck, means on said hull adjacent said transom means for supporting a power motor, operator control means supported on said hull and spaced forward of said seat means, a pair of outrigger support means pivotally supported on opposite sides of said craft for swinging movement about horizontal axes and extending outwardly beyond the sides of said craft, pontoon means mounted on the outer portion of each support means, means for simultaneously swinging said outrigger support means about their pivotal supports to raise or lower said pontoon means, and meansfor locking said outrigger support means in a selected one of a plurality of positions.

2. A water craft as in claim 1 wherein said means for swinging the outrigger support means comprises a pair of links, each pivotally connected at one end to one of said outrigger support means and control means pivotally connected .with the opposite ends of said links and adapted to move such opposite ends toward and away from each other.

3. A water craft as in claim 2 wherein said opposite. ends of said links are respectively pivotally connected with a pair of sleeves and wherein said sleeves are mounted on a rod for sliding movement toward and from each other, said rod extending transversely of the hull of said craft.

4. A water craft as in claim 3 wherein a second pair of links is provided, one end of each of such links being pivotally connected to a respective one of said sleeves and the other ends of such links being pivotally connected to a third sleeve, said third sleeve being slidably mounted for movement on a tubular support extending longitudinally of said craft.

5. A water craft as in claim 4 wherein said third sleeve is provided with an opening and said tubular sup port is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced openings adapted to register successively with the opening in said third sleeve as it moves along the tubular support and wherein a locking pin is provided for insertion in such openings when so registered.

6. A water craft as in claim 5 wherein a control rod is provided for moving said third sleeve along said tubular support, said rod extruding to a point adjacent said operator seat means.

7. A water craft as in claim 6 wherein a flexible cable means is connected to said locking pin and extends to a point adjacent said seat.

8. A water craft as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said hull body portion includes stabilizing fin means extending laterally outward from each side of said hull sides.

9. A water craft as described in claim 8 further characterized in that said fin means are detailed to extend from adjacent said transom means forwardly to a position spaced slightly rearward of said converging point of said sides and bottom, said fin means including a substantially flat bottom surface curving upwardly to a point adjacent said top deck means.

10. A water craft as described in claim 9 further characterized in that said fin means includes a detailed upper surface portion located on opposite sides of said hull body portion and spaced slightly forward of said operator seat means to provide an operator foot support means.

11. A water craft as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said operator control support means is detailed for supporting said operator controls at a higher elevation than said operator seat means. 

1. A water craft adapted to be ridden by an operator in a manner similar to a motor cycle comprising: a hull body portion, said hull body portion including a bottom, sides and top deck; said bottom and sides converging at a point adjacent said top deck to define a bow means, transom means extruding transversely between said bottom, sides and top deck adjacent a rear end thereof to define a stern means, quarter seat means supported on said hull adjacent an intermediate portion thereof and extending above said top deck, means on said hull adjacent said transom means for supporting a power motor, operator control means supported on said hull and spaced forward of said seat means, a pair of outrigger support means pivotally supported on opposite sides of said craft for swinging movement about horizontal axes and extending outwardly beyond the sides of said craft, pontoon means mounted on the outer portion of each support means, means for simultaneously swinging said outrigger support means about their pivotal supports to raise or lower said pontoon means, and means for locking said outrigger support means in a selected one of a plurality of positions.
 2. A water craft as in claim 1 wherein said means for swinging the outrigger support means comprises a pair of links, each pivotally connected at one end to one of said outrigger support means and control means pivotally connected with the opposite ends of said links and adapted to move such opposite ends toward and away from each other.
 3. A water craft as in claim 2 wherein said opposite ends of said links are respectively pivotally connected with a pair of sleeves and wherein said sleeves are mounted on a rod for sliding movement toward and from each other, said rod extending transversely of the hull of said craft.
 4. A water craft as in claim 3 wherein a second pair of links is provided, one end of each of such links being pivotally connected to a respective one of said sleeves and the other ends of such links being pivotally connected to a third sleeve, said third sleeve being slidably mounted for movement on a tubular support extending longitudinally of said craft.
 5. A water craft as in claim 4 wherein said third sleeve is provided with an opening and said tubular support is provided with a series of longitudinally spaced openings adapted to register successively with the opening in said third sleeve as it moves along the tubular support and wherein a locking pin is provided for insertion in such openings when so registeRed.
 6. A water craft as in claim 5 wherein a control rod is provided for moving said third sleeve along said tubular support, said rod extruding to a point adjacent said operator seat means.
 7. A water craft as in claim 6 wherein a flexible cable means is connected to said locking pin and extends to a point adjacent said seat.
 8. A water craft as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said hull body portion includes stabilizing fin means extending laterally outward from each side of said hull sides.
 9. A water craft as described in claim 8 further characterized in that said fin means are detailed to extend from adjacent said transom means forwardly to a position spaced slightly rearward of said converging point of said sides and bottom, said fin means including a substantially flat bottom surface curving upwardly to a point adjacent said top deck means.
 10. A water craft as described in claim 9 further characterized in that said fin means includes a detailed upper surface portion located on opposite sides of said hull body portion and spaced slightly forward of said operator seat means to provide an operator foot support means.
 11. A water craft as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said operator control support means is detailed for supporting said operator controls at a higher elevation than said operator seat means. 